Rams Polish Up Special Teams As Jets Game Nears

Rams polish up special teams as Jets game nears
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

For the second time in three days, the St. Louis Rams’ afternoon practice session was devoted to special teams only. Once again, about 60 of the 80 players on the training camp roster participated. Keenan Burton has been added to the group of players competing for the punt return job; he was joined Tuesday on returns by Derek Stanley, Ronald Curry, and rookie free agent Cord Parks.

As they gear down for Friday’s exhibition opener in the Meadowlands against the New York Jets, the Rams will hold their first morning practice without full pads Wednesday. They’ll practice in helmets and shoulders pads, beginning at 8:15 a.m., then go in shells (light padding) Wednesday afternoon at 2:45 p.m.

Those will be the last full-scale practices before departing for New Jersey early Thursday afternoon.

_ In The House: Coaches or scouts from Washington University (St. Louis), Springfield (Ill.) High School, and the Calgary Stampeders (CFL) attended Tuesday’s practices.

_ Ram-blings: FB Mike Karney (ankle) once again took part in team drills Monday morning, so there’s a chance he could play against the Jets. . . .QB Marc Bulger said only two more practices in camp will include installation periods, after which the entire base offense will be in. . . .Coach Steve Spagnuolo praised running back Kenneth Darby for his attitude, his work ethic, and his workload so far in camp.